Figures released by the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation show that traffic fatalities rose for the Keystone State by 5% last year. As reported by 3CBS Philly, almost 2,000 traffic deaths occurred in the state during 2018; the increase in fatalities reflects a greater number of pedestrians and seniors killed on Pennsylvania’s roads. The number of pedestrian fatalities represents an alarming increase of 34% compared to 2017.
The 2018 figures released by PennDOT show an increase of more than 50% for senior citizen fatalities. Deadly crashes involving drunken drivers increased by a little under 13%. A more encouraging figure relates to drivers aged 16 and 17; the 26 recorded fatalities in 2018 represent a new low for this age group.
Research shows Pennsylvania’s roads are at high risk for accidents involving trucks
As noted by Commercial Carrier Journal, sections of Pennsylvania’s major trucking lanes reportedly represent some of the “riskiest road segments in the United States.” Recent fleet management data compiled by a motor carrier analytics provider identifies intersections between interstate highways and Pennsylvania roads as four of the nation’s top five riskiest road segments. Rapid changes in speed limits and sudden lane changes occurring when interstate and state roads intersect are contributing factors.
The event analytics data company also found that the recorded severity level of the accidents involving trucks in Pennsylvania was double that of Texas, even though the Lone Star state had a greater number of truck-related accidents.
Accidents involving trucks are particularly dangerous
Because of the weight and size of most tractor-trailers, motorists caught up in accidents involving commercial motor carriers are at much greater risk of incurring severe injuries. According to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, more than 100,000 truck and large bus crashes resulted in injuries in 2017.
When collisions involve passenger cars and much larger commercial vehicles, medical bills, lost time from work and the resulting pain and suffering can be overwhelming. Sometimes, the accident is the result of a truck driver or trucking company’s negligence; crash victims may need to turn to civil legal remedies to obtain just and fair compensation.